The first thing you notice is that the rumors of a line are true.
We’re talking about the wildly popular With Love, Always, a smash burger eatery in the northwest Las Vegas Valley. We arrived just before dusk when hints of rose and blue tinted the desert sky. And there was a line.
Undaunted, we joined the queue, widely rumored on social media. And the line, with some direction from one of the employees, moved efficiently. We ordered double-patty, angus-beef burgers, an order of fries prepared in beef tallow and one vanilla French custard soft serve for dessert.
It took a few minutes, but our order, sans French custard, was called minutes later. Then a decision had to be made. There was limited seating inside and a scattering of picnic tables outside on the broad patio. Due to the popularity of With Love, Always, and our early evening arrival, all picnic tables were occupied.
Undismayed, we joined a young couple at the edge of the picnic table area. We introduced ourselves and dived into our meal. Midway through the burgers and fries, we looked up and noticed the line had grown considerably longer. Well, it was nearer dinnertime.
Minutes later, the young couple finished their meal and vanished into the twilight. But they were soon replaced by a thirtysomething couple and a family member, who turned out to be lively dinner companions and sparkling conversationalists. By that time, it was dark, and we had a glimpse of the colorful Sphere and other twinkling lights on the Las Vegas Strip.
When the thirtysomething family finished their meals, they disappeared. But as we went to claim our French custard, another couple, accompanied by two playful children, took their place. It was just another round of picnic table bingo at this Centennial Hills eatery.
Our companion, a highly intelligent woman with keen observational powers, wisely suggested that With Love, Always expand their number of picnic tables and include some smaller ones with cozy, two-place seating. It’s a suggestion that the ownership should seriously consider.
But With Love, Always has a winning formula — good food, decent service and reasonable prices. We even peeked into the kitchen and things were clean and orderly and well-organized.
While we were waiting for our French custard, which comes in a towering display and a sugar cone and is easily enough for two, we chatted up one of the employees. She explained With Love, Always, originated as series of pop-up ventures in 2021 before securing its retail presence. A second store near IKEA in the southwest valley will open later this year, the employee said.
And the quirky name? Its website explains that the business model is for Vegas and from Vegas for locals and the city and is “our love letter to Las Vegas.”
Overall, we give With Love, Always a solid four-star rating. We’re willing to amp up our rating by a half-star if management follows our companion’s suggestion about adding additional picnic tables.
With Love, Always is at 6441 N. Durango, suite 140, and is open from 11 am. to 11 p.m.
